Napoleon's Consolidation of Power: The Reign of the First Consul, 1799-1804
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How firmly did Napoleon establish his control over France as First Consul, 1799–1804?
ESSAY
To what extent did Napoleon firmly establish his control over France as First Consul between 1799 and 1804? The period in question marked a critical juncture in French history, with Napoleon Bonaparte rising to power and consolidating his authority. While Napoleon demonstrated significant control and influence over various aspects of French governance, his grasp on power was not without challenges and opposition. This essay will examine the factors that illustrate Napoleon's firm control as First Consul, as well as the limitations and instances of resistance that suggest a more nuanced view of his authority.
Napoleon's authority was initially solidified by the constitution of 1799, which concentrated power in his hands as First Consul. He overshadowed the other two Consuls, who were granted only an advisory role. Napoleon's decisions were final, establishing a clear hierarchy within the government. This centralization of power was further underscored in 1802 when Napoleon was offered the Consulship for life with the right to nominate his successor. His ability to appoint ministers and officials also enhanced his control over the administration.
Moreover, Napoleon effectively managed the representative bodies of the Tribunate and Legislature to align with his policies. For instance, in 1802, the Tribunate's membership was reduced after criticizing the Civil Code, indicating Napoleon's influence over dissenting voices. The Legislature largely complied with government proposals, indicating its lack of independent opposition. Napoleon's active involvement in shaping the Civil Code highlighted his dominance over legal frameworks and demonstrated his commitment to reinforcing his authority through legislation.
However, Napoleon's control faced challenges that tested the stability of his regime. The attempted assassination in 1800 and subsequent royalist plots in 1804 revealed underlying dissent and opposition to his rule. The controversial use of the Corsican law of vendetta to justify actions against potential threats like the Duc d'Enghien highlighted the lengths to which Napoleon would go to maintain control, suggesting a sense of insecurity rather than unwavering authority.
Furthermore, the imposition of censorship measures reflected Napoleon's efforts to limit dissent and control the flow of information. The restriction of political journals and reliance on official government publications like 'Le Moniteur' showcased Napoleon's desire to shape public discourse and suppress opposing viewpoints.
In conclusion, while Napoleon established a strong grip on power as First Consul through constitutional reforms, centralized decision-making, and control over legislative bodies, his authority was not absolute. Challenges like assassination attempts, opposition plots, and censorship revealed the fragility of his regime and the extent to which dissent persisted. Therefore, while Napoleon demonstrated significant control over France during his early years as First Consul, the presence of resistance and limitations suggests a more nuanced understanding of the firmness of his authority during this period.
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**How firmly did Napoleon establish his control over France as First Consul, 1799–1804?**
*Indicative content*: Arguments to show he had established firm control could take the following form.
Napoleon’s authority was established from the outset by the constitution of 1799, and as First Consul he overshadowed the other two Consuls. They were granted the right, only, to express an opinion (voix consultative), whilst Napoleon’s decision, in all matters, was final. In December 1800 he narrowly escaped assassination. This showed the potential fragility of the regime. Therefore, in 1802 Napoleon was offered the Consulship for life with the right to nominate his successor. His power was established further by his ability to appoint ministers and lesser officials.
The Tribunate and Legislature were representative bodies, but they were controlled by Napoleon. In 1802, for example, the Tribunate was reduced from 100 to 50 members after criticizing the Civil Code. The Legislature never rejected government bills after 1802. With regard to the Civil Code, Napoleon drew up its agenda and regularly attended sessions that approved it, making his views clear throughout.
However, the extent of this control can be questioned. That an attempt was made on his life in and the year 1804 saw a series of royalist plots and counter-plots (The Duc d’ Enghieu, a member of the Bourbon family, allegedly sought to supplant Napoleon by murdering him and his family, and taking over the government) suggests that not all were willing to accept Napoleon’s authority. Moreover, his appeal to the Corsican law of the vendetta to justify the abduction and execution of d’Enghieu seems to suggest desperation rather than authoritative control.
The sense of insecurity can be seen, also, in the use of censorship. In January 1800, the number of political journals in Paris were reduced from 73 to 13. The production of new ones was forbidden and by the end of 1800 only nine remained. Their editors had to rely on military bulletins or articles published in ‘Le Moniteur’, the official government journal.
Candidates might offer a definition of ‘firmly’ and use this to organize their response. This is perfectly acceptable. Accept any other valid responses.